CyberCollege/InternetCampus Revisions

Revised: 06/07/2013

Notes

In addition to making minor updates to the modules throughout the year, at the end of each academic year we try to go through all the modules to bring them up to date with changes in the field.

In the process we are increasing both the type size and line spacing on all articles to make the text easier to read on mobile devices. We no longer maintain special versions of the site for mobile decides.

We have also revised the information for students and instructors.

These revisions should now be posted. You may have to reload a page to get the latest version. In so doing you may find the page "magically" changes right in front of you! The updates should not affect test questions. Major changes, should they occur, will be noted here.

NOTE: At times an ad may pop up in your browser when you are viewing this site. This site is ad-free and it is a parasite ad, an uninvited addition to your computer, generally resulting from downloading a program with this advertising scheme included.

YouTube™ Videos

We are now including links to a few strictly supplemental videos from YouTube™.

We know that some schools block YouTube and external links because of inappropriate content. We ran into this, ourselves, with a link to an excellent video piece, and we had to delete the link.

There may be a solution.

A company has come up with an app/browser extension for educators that strips out ads and other non-essential surrounding content form YouTube.

It seemed to work fine when we tested it with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari -- but apparently not InternetExplorer.

You can download it here to test it. The web site provides an excellent example of how it works.

It should work for you if YouTube hasn't changed their code. If so, "A Cleaner Internet," the company behind this app, will probably soon make needed adjustments. Some definite chaff notwithstanding, YouTube has some excellent educational videos.

Although helpful to an understanding of the general topic, these videos are strictly supplemental and not included on module tests.

The latest updates to this site includes use of a newly-developed program to enhance the images. They now look better with iPod and MacBook Pro computers with the new retina displays.

And, of course, computers such as iPads that do not have a mouse can't use the click and drag feature required for the quick quizzes.

Some smartphones have problems with the JavaScript features -- primarily the pop-up information and AnswerTips. At the same time, all of the features in the modules should work fine with standard browsers as long as Java Script is not turned off.

With Microsoft's Internet Explorer's browser the interactive menus system on this site is sometimes not visible, forcing users to switch to the secondary index. For a number of reasons, and in order of preference, the free Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers are recommended.

Earlier Updates

The U.S. conversion to ATSC digital broadcast TV meant that a number of things in the Modules that applied only to NTSC analog broadcast television had to be updated. Modules 9 and 9-2 in particular were reorganized and revised -- dropping some information and adding DTV information.

With the virtual demise of videotape now, the modules on consumer and professional video recording also went through major updates.

Because of recent changes in digital editing technology, Module 58, Online, Offline Editing, required major revisions (in addition to dropping the hyphens in the terms).

Otherwise, this general revision involves mostly wording and format changes, plus a bit of condensation, and it will not affect the test material.

The Readers' Forum has been reorganized and the older entries have been dropped -- a process that we regularly go through.

NOTES: Although information on this site is carefully checked for accuracy, occasionally a reader will take exception to something that's said. If an error is brought to our attention and documented, we will quickly fix it. Just let us know.

With our permission, we sometimes let other sites use files from the CyberCollege / InternetCampus sites. Some of our files have been incorporated into books and articles.

In the same spirit of cooperation and with permission we occasionally use design elements and articles from other Internet sites.

Updated Interactive Tests

Earlier revisions on the modules required some changes in the interactive tests.

Under a new scoring system right answers on the interactive tests are now worth two points, but wrong answers or skipped questions each subtract a point form final test scores.

In addition to being at the end of the modules, the revised tests along with correct answers are in the .RTF and .HTM formats in the restricted instructor's section of the site.

The Use of Whom, Etc.

Although we believe in using proper grammar, there are some situations, especially in broadcasting, where proper usage can sound stilted and a bit off-putting. One of these is with whom. As we noted in Module 6, although we have detected a move to using the proper whom in publications, this doesn't seem to have been widely adopted in broadcasting.

In these modules we have stuck to who in all cases. However, in broadcasting proper usage is often dictated by common usage, so we reserve the right to change our minds.

Even so, we should point out that there are clear transgressions of proper grammar in broadcasting that aren't as forgivable. For example, in a recent Fox News report on a lost dog a reporter stated, "her dog had ran away." Many viewers are quick to pick up on such errors (and bring them to the attention of management).

A recent survey indicated that more than 60% of employers would immediately drop a resume out of consideration if they found a grammatical (or a spelling) error.

ansertips

AnswerTips™ has proven helpful, especially for foreign students. By double-clicking on any word on a page where this logo appears a definition will pop up. This feature requires a live Internet connection and last we checked won't appear in Opera or Chrome browsers.

AnswerTips™ can be further personalized and expanded in a number of ways, including definitions in 16 other languages. The options include default, dictionaries, encyclopedias, synonyms and antonyms, and translations. Audio provides the English pronunciation. (Most people select "dictionary" as a default setting.)

As in the case of all links external to this site, we are not responsible for ads or other associated material that might appear. Since we are a non-commercial (non-profit) site we receive no compensation from any outside source.

As in most of the interactive features on this site, your browser must be able to "do" Java, which most browsers do unless you turn it off. (Go ahead, try it -- double-click on any word on this page.)

Note: if you lose your Internet connection, pages will take added time to load while the browser attempts (and finally fails) to contact the AnswerTips site. The Safari browser seems to be especially affected.

Pop-Up Information (▲ )

Because of rendering inconsistencies in the Internet Explorer 8 browser we have had to change the way of indicating ▲ pop-up information. Phrases in blue or red proceeded by the black triangle seen above can be moused over for elaboration. Key terms are still in red. (If you are using a standard browser, you should get a pop-up by mousing over the phrase in blue above.) Some pop-ups will also have an image, such as ▲ this one.

If you find that some of the interactive features on this site don't work, you are probably using an old browser or you have Java disabled.

The Word Squares have been reformatted to make them compatible with changes in Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7.0 browser.

Just a reminder, if an access problem is encountered at CyberCollege.com your can go to InternetCampus.com. for the same files.

Although one site may occasionally have a problem, the two sites have never been down at the same time.

division marker For basic background information click on Frequently-Asked Questions.

division marker A summary of the basic information on the course is available here.

In addition to the Forum, which covers numerous media topics, there is also the author's blog with personal media reflections and suggestions.

The instructor information has been greatly expanded. Included is something new, "Teaching Tips and Talking Points," covering each of the modules. The URL for these and the supplementary tests is available to qualified instructors by writing the author.

Animation Issue

Some animated bird firewalls, such as ZoneAlarm, have an option to shut off animated images. This will affect some illustrations on this site. (The dove on the left should be flying—although not necessarily getting anywhere.)

The Quick Quizzes

The interactive Quick Quizzes require a relatively recent browser with Java scripts enabled. When you click on Quick Quiz at the bottom of the modules you should see two rows of blocks.

With the help of the left key of a mouse you can drag the blocks on the right to the matching phrases on the left.
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Additional Supplementary Readings

There are links within the modules to additional reading. Among the specialized sections that have recently been added. Links to these articles can be found in the General Readings and Materials and Associated Readings sub-indexes.

For those of you who asked about recommended video assignments, they are available here.

Old versions of pages are often retained in a browser's cache and what appears in your browser won't be the latest version of the page. If you suspect this, try reloading a page.

Color-Coding Scheme

Although a great many people go through these modules on an individual basis—government employees, TV crew members, military personnel, etc.— a great many users are in classrooms. To try to accommodate a greater range of needs, we've devised a color code for links.

The required reading links are marked with a green square ( ) These are covered in the interactive tests and puzzles.

A little yellow square ( ) in front of link indicates background reading. This material is not included on the interactive tests, although it may help in understanding the concepts covered.
A blue square in front of a link ( ) indicates technical information. This type of information is designed for advanced classes and professionals; and, again, this may or may not be required by an instructor. These areas will also be expanded in the future to meet the needs of advanced students.
A red square is reserved for ( ) external links that have related information. This information is not included on the interactive tests. CyberCollege and the InternetCampus have no control over the content or availability of these external links.
Links that are not marked with a colored square should be self-explanatory.

In summary:

= A basic understanding of TV production concepts.
= A more advanced understanding and background.
= Advanced students; professionals.
= Includes external resources for additional information.
And, finally, phrases marked with this symbol ( ▲ ) can be moused over for more information.

Basic information on the use of these cybercourses can be found here and here.

This whole project is considered a collaborative effort, and it has come a long way since the first rough draft was posted almost ten years ago.

The text materials and illustrations continue to be updated on a regular basis as new information is published in trades, newspapers, and on the Internet. The date at the top-right of each module indicates when the material was last updated.

Along with many web sites, we've had problems with hackers spoofing our e-mail addresses so that people will open e-mail thinking it's from us. This is discussed here.

Just so you know, these materials are free and we aren't in the business of selling anything.

Use of these materials is restricted by international copyright and limited to cost-free, direct Internet access to the CyberCollege^® and InternetCampus^® sites. Because of our legal agreements, any other use will jeopardize the continued availability of the materials.

TO INDEX

CyberCollege® and InternetCampus® are U.S. registered trademarks.